Around The Basketball League: Oregon Native Isaiah Gentry Focused On Becoming A Professional With SoCal Moguls
Playing under former NBA center Olden Polynice in San Diego, the energetic TBL guard is receiving a whole new education on the basketball court this season.
San Diego, California — This is all Isaiah Gentry really needed. The chance to show he has a rightful place back in the game.
Over the last month the lengthy 6’4 guard out of Milwaukie, Oregon has brought his trademark ear-to-ear grin and a contagious energy to the court with the expansion SoCal Moguls in The Basketball League and is making the most out of his first moments as a professional. That’s the key word here – professional. He certainly has earned that title of late. If “Zay” would have listened to the naysayers during his days at Milwaukie High School saying he wouldn’t play pro ball, or given up after an uncertain college selection process, or even be deterred from pursuing a pro career at all because of the “shady” business side of basketball, he wouldn’t be here right now.
He most certainly wouldn’t be averaging 13.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game or shooting 72.7% from the field in the TBL while dropping a season-high 26 points against the rival San Diego Sharks. In the blink of an eye, Isaiah has gone from playing for Clif Wegner at Clackamas Community College, to an NAIA All-Conference selection at Vanguard after leading the Lions in points and steals per game, to now sitting under the learning tree of former NBA center, Olden Polynice, with the SoCal Moguls, who are gunning for the Salem Capitals and California Sea Kings in a strong West Conference.
Not bad for a kid who wasn’t supposed to make it this far. It sounds like Isaiah only has plans to keep going.
It wasn’t that long ago that you were rocking #12 as a Senior at Milwaukie High School, putting up big numbers, and earning accolades in the Northwest Oregon Conference. Back then were you thinking of one day playing professionally?
It was a dream of mine to play professionally, but I never really believed that it was always a realistic goal. I had a lot of people in high school say that I wasn’t going to be able to play basketball at the next level because of my size and that I should just play football because I would have a better chance there. But after a few people believed in me and a very realistic conversation with someone close to me, I found out that if you put the work in and manifest yourself accomplishing a goal at a time, nothing is unrealistic.
In 2018 you went from playing college basketball at Clackamas Community College in Milwaukie, Oregon to Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California. How would you describe your experience playing under a legendary Coach like Clif Wegner and how did your time at CCC prepare you for Vanguard?
My college experience was full of proving that I belong in college basketball. When I got to CCC I came in like I’ve already done the work and I was the best player on my high school team so I am going to get everything handed to me. But that wasn’t the case at all. I came in overweight and with a minimal work ethic, but if you know Coach (Clif) Wegner you know that doesn’t fly. Being at CCC and playing under Coach Wegner taught me a lot about basketball but a lot about myself as well. He taught me that basketball was more than just putting a ball in the goal. Rebounding, hustle plays, communication, and accountability was all just as important. His constant pressure about effort is what translated the best to prepare me for Vanguard.
I actually wanted to go to Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon and also Portland Community College, which was also close to home. But a few things didn’t work out and I wasn't offered by either of those two schools. I was stuck and CCC was a last minute option. The coaching staff knew how to light a fire under me and get me motivated.
At Vanguard, you led the team in scoring and steals on your way to earning All-Conference honors in 2019-20 and really left a lasting impression on the program. Now that you are a couple of years removed from concluding your college career there, what are you most proud of during your brief time with the Lions?
Getting selected All-Conference my senior year. I feel like I was really respected in our conference during my two years at Vanguard. My senior year we missed our shot at the conference tournament but still being able to get All-Conference as a player was a reward in itself.
There’s really no owners manual when it comes to trying to play professionally overseas and navigating the uneasy waters at times to sign with an international team. How has that process been for you and what have you learned the most about that part of “the business” these last two years?
The process has been hard for sure. There are a lot of people that are shady in this business and are willing to just take your money and not care to just leave you hanging. I've seen that a lot these last two years and not just myself, but other people as well. So doing your research on people and making sure they are certified is huge.
The SoCal Moguls are very fortunate to have a head coach like former NBA center Olden Polynice leading the team in the West Conference. What kind of advice and insight has he shared with you about your own game and developing as a professional?
It has been great having him as the head coach. He shares his NBA experience with us and prepares us for what it is like up there at the next level (NBA, G-league, overseas). Coach O has played with a lot of great players and has a bunch of insight at every position. For me personally, he has already helped me develop a quicker release on my shot that will help me and growing the mental part of the game, like how to adjust my mindset to prepare and be ready at all times.
Why are the SoCal Moguls and TBL the right fit for you as a pro? What have been your first impressions of the level of competition in the West thus far in the season and what are some goals you have for yourself this year?
The SoCal Moguls and TBL are the right fit for me because I needed a way to get my foot in the door. I have been out of basketball since February of 2020. With this team and league I believe it is the right stepping stone for me to get my feet wet and gain the experience and reps that I need to be able to thrive at the next level.
You also had the chance recently to do some coaching of your own with Legends ACPT (Ashley Corral Performance Training) in Vancouver, Washington. What did it mean to you to take part in being part of that coaching staff and the chance to work with and train young basketball players?
It was a blessing to be able to work with a staff like that at ACPT. Being able to work behind someone like Ashley Corral and Kevan West is something special. I never thought that I would have fallen in love with coaching but the passion and energy that they bring becomes contagious after a while. While working there I was a part of the Little Legends program and really found a passion working with the younger group of kids and really just teaching the game and having fun. I’d be lying if I said there was something better than seeing a smile on a kid's face when he learns a new move or wins a game in dribble knockout.
Lead photo credit: SoCal Moguls
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Wendell Maxey has covered and written about professional basketball and sports for 19 years including eight years reporting on the NBA in New York and Portland where his work appeared on ESPN.com, NBA.com, USA Today, FOX Sports, YAHOO Sports!, SLAM Magazine, and The Oregonian among other publications and outlets. Connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn or read through his archive on Linktree.